Ray Stern of Phoenix New Times takes a deep dive into the opposing forces pushing initiatives to legalize marijuana in Arizona. He notes that one of the groups, Arizonans for Mindful Regulation, is vowing to work to defeat the Marijuana Policy Project’s proposition if it makes the ballot:
Yet one of legalization’s biggest challenges is in-fighting among marijuana supporters.
The latest negative campaigning against the MPP effort actually is the second time this year that a pro-legalization group has upset the already-delicate chances of legalization. The first was a coalition of dispensaries that demanded they be given a leg up on would-be competitors in any newly formed system of retail marijuana stores.
Now, Arizonans for Mindful Regulation has persuaded Safer Arizona — formerly a backer of the MPP initiative — to adopt its cause. Its leader, Jason Medar, is a former Orange County, California, medical-marijuana dispensary owner who helped sink that state’s 2010 legalization initiative, Proposition 19. Medar claims he opposed the measure out of principle, not because he felt it was a threat to his businesses. Prop 19 failed 53.5 percent to 46.5 percent
Medar left his California dispensaries and apparently has no business ventures planned in Arizona. The AZFMR’s campaign doesn’t focus on commercial aspects of legalization.
It focuses on keeping pot users out of jail.
The group has its own multi-page initiative — and it’s similar to the MPP’s measure in that it ends prohibition.
But the AZFMR’s proposal goes further by calling for, among other things, a reduction in the penalty for the possession of eight ounces for sale from a felony to a misdemeanor.
Don’t mistake Medar’s campaign for less-serious measures that have been filed with the state with no chance of making the ballot, such as the proposed Re-Legalize All Drugs initiative.
Medar’s group claims to have gathered about 6,000 signatures so far.But the AZFMR’s enthusiastic crowd lacks one very important thing: money. And it has to raise the same amount of signatures as the MPP.
Medar vows that if his group’s initiative fails to make the ballot, the campaign will use its resources to persuade voters to vote “no” on the MPP measure.
They hate it that much — even though it appears to be the best way to further their interests.
This article appears in Sep 3-9, 2015.
I don’t believe the summation of the story is correct. It is not that AZFMR hates MPP’s proposal that much. It is MPP’s proposal is that damaging by eliminating Medical Marijuana completely. Legalizing Marijuana can only be done once there is no redo. The Web Site “Safer AZ “has plenty of video on other states that have adopted MPP’s proposal’s. MPP’s basically takes over horticultural retail, Smoke shops, and internet sales of anything remotely related to the possibility cultivating marijuana. charges them a business license for them to operate. MPP’s when working on their proposal even wanted to take on or work with Indian gaming. MPP proposal is not legalization it is licensing to extort.
“Legalizing Marijuana can only be done once there is no redo”
Nonsense. The fight for freedom (including marijuana freedoms) is a never ending process.
As to the fallacy of opposing ballot initiatives to legalize: the choice before AZ is not between some fantasy of the perfect law vs the ballot initiative, the choice is prohibition vs the initiative. I have yet to see an initiative that is worse than prohibition. This is what the nay sayers said of Washington’s 502 in 2012. And none of their fears materialized. AND the law is still in flux and recently changed.
If you get the chance to legalize, DO IT! Because who knows when you will get the chance again!
MPP’s 2016 initiative does not eliminate the current medical marijuana program. The rights of medical marijuana patients will not be affected. The only change to the medical program is that its administration will be transferred to a new department; the AMMA law will not change. Also, MPP’s Regulation and Taxation of Marijuana Act will allow adults to grow six plants at their residence. Whether you are a patient or casual user, that is an improvement over what we have now. https://www.regulatemarijuanainarizona.org/
Its not infighting. Its citizens fighting against a foreign and new form of prohibition.
While FF3dom has not seen a perfect imitative I say OK I have seen lots of terrible one in my 65 years here in AZ
MMP’s imitative will end the MMJ it is pure nonsense to believe otherwise. It will be transferred to another AMMA. No it will be transferred to the so called “Department of Marijuana” where it will be immune of oversight till 2022. We have a governing agency now that can take any responsibility of implementing the legalization of Marijuana. The last Section of the imitative say’s it all if any fails to stand up to court scrutiny then then rest will prevail. This bull of 6 plants and not descriptive of what that means clones dried weight this is the DANGLE OF THE CARROT.
IF THIS CONCERNS YOU LEGIMATIALLY I ask you to watch Safer video take 5 minutes
http://WWW.SAFER AZ.COM
What MPP’s proposal basically states in a nutshell is very simple. The Dispensaries and Law Enforcement have gathered their support to start a new bureaucracy that can change the law anytime it sees fit under what they call regulations. the proposed “Depart of Marijuana” can very easy state a rule that all of these plants must have a tax stamp and that would be figured on the amount of tax lost. Example the ” Department of Marijuana” says each plant is capable of producing 2 pounds it can very easily attach a tax lien on your property for the tax not paid. The Department of Marijuana can say &1,000.00 is collected on each pound so you owe the sate or more exact the “Department of Marijuana” on a civil nature where 16% interest can be applied till the home is forced into forclosure and the family on the street.
simple question “IF MPP’S PROPOSAL SAY’S REGULATE AND TAX LIKE ALCOHOL ” We already have a department of Alcohol why do we need a Department of Marijuana ? It is a shame
As it is if you grow at home and get caught, you will go to jail, your property may be seized and auctioned, you will be heavily fined and much more. Are people really opposed to this proposal because they are worried about potential tax liens? Sounds like current status quo is way worse than your biggest fears….
I know a lot of people who distill at home, technically illegal, and nobody is placing leans on their properties because of unpaid taxes. That is a spurious argument.
Legalize it already and we can sort out the details as we go. As with EVERYTHING else, there is no perfect law but we work towards it. Let’s start by voting as a people, as a state, to legalize.
I don’t see anyone here saying not to legalize just how to do it? I don’t understand why do we need a “Department of Marijuana” why don’t we just legalized it
Welcome to the USA. We have bureaucracy for everything. Don’t let your libertarian idealism get in the way of progress.
Interesting article. It clears up who the various players are, but does not really clear up what the net effect is under each proposal, just what the other side says could happen.
My thoughts are as follows: The medical marijuana growers and dispensaries need to have their considerable investment somewhat protected, but not to the point of monopoly or even near monopoly.
I am not in favor of a heavy handed regulatory agency
The state can make money off this, but basic economics says that if you tax it too much, people will still go to the street corner.
The current laws need to be modified such that it puts the private prison industry out of business in AZ or at least put a big dent in their pocketbook.
Any initiative that covers all or most of those issues will get my vote.
Human Ok Mien Heir
The dispensaries & cultivators need to be protected ? Since when does any industry or retail business get protection from market forces ? Perhaps we should put a tariff on Copper to cover the cost of the world market decline and worker layoffs . Perhaps we should put a tax on cotton to cover the cost of education then every time I put on a shirt I can feel good for educating children. I can tell you if we had a “Department of Export” these things would happen. Progressive !
We are being deluged with the idea the only legalization possible is that AZ needs is a new tax collecting licensing, market restricting, rule making, autonomous, bureaucracy. One that is immune from oversight till 2022. I remember from an early age the 3 lies everyone is told
1- Check is in the mail
2- I will love you in the morning
3 – I am just here to help you with a service fee undisclosed
all 3 of these myths are being played
1- the legislature has control of the purse while it might hand over a check they cant tell the legislature how to fund public education LIE # 1
2- These lottery winners came to help those that can benefit from Cannabis therapies Now they are in the way to potential market they go out because we really didn’t love them to begin with LIE #2
3- I put extensive monies into this endeavor I need my payback before I can help you I need to expand my profit and market while limiting others from coming in so I can help you better. Lie # 3
(if we look at cost and recoup then cost should be a set figure)
Obama has set new standards where you can do debit. deposit in banks. get loans, University’s studies. You can apply for intellectual knowledge and copywrite from that
Colorado and Oregon run their program under the existing Liquor control board. Washington’s 502 is a mess constant wrong assessment’s of the market.